Of Venom and Vengeance

by Mikayla Bridge

Prepare for a deliciously dark standalone, set in the same world as Of Flame and Fury, where star-crossed enemies gamble with their hearts, their empires, and the fate of a lost god.

On an island ruled by pageantry and pain, power comes at an impossible price.

Inna is the perfect heiress to the Pallo crime family: poised, cunning, untouchable. Behind this glamorous facade, she hunts for the sinister truth behind her older sister's death. Despite the cover-up she’s been led to believe, Inna can feel an enemy lurking in the shadows, or perhaps even hiding in plain sight.

Rylan has sculpted himself into a talented thief. His heart may be guarded, but his purpose is clear: retribution for his family, murdered by Inna's mother. Armed with illusion magic, Rylan plans to steal an ancient riddle from the Pallo vault, one that leads to a sleeping god. Whoever wakes the Serpent King will be granted any wish they desire. Rylan means to claim this power, and with it, Inna's ruin.

But when Inna catches Rylan sneaking past her family’s security, he proposes a deadly alliance that each desperately needs but neither intends to keep – even as bitter attraction threatens to unravel into something more.

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Romantasy, Young Adult, Young Adult Fantasy, Fiction

432 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 7, 2026

About the author

Mikayla Bridge is a young adult fantasy author living in Melbourne, Australia. She grew up on a small-town farm and completed a BA with honours in political science and international relations. She loves writing books that feel like a triple espresso: high-energy, heart-racing, and might ruin your sleep schedule.

You can find her on instagram at @mikayla_bridge.

Reviews

[Hannah 🌺 (very busy - grad school)]

Thank you so much to the editor for reaching out with an ARC 💚🖤 excited to read this!! Once I get caught up on arcs 😅

[nika.ex.libris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book is set in the Of Flame and Fury world, but the plot follows different characters.

​I wasn't particularly disappointed because I knew it would be something different going in. It took me a little time to get into it and adjust, but before I knew it, I was almost done. It was a quick, easy read, and the plot moved at a steady pace. The book is written from dual POVs, which I really like.

​The atmosphere is completely different from Of Flame and Fury—there are more intrigues, magic, and searching for answers here. Phoenixes are only mentioned, but there are other types of creatures.

​The romance was unusual for me. It’s kind of a love triangle where I didn’t fully understand who the FMC would end up with, though many would probably say it was obvious (honestly, the plot twist I came up with in my head would have been way more interesting). But I wouldn't say the ending was a disappointment; I just never really felt the chemistry or connection between the characters. Overall, it wasn't bad—it just lacked that emotional spark for me, but that’s just a personal preference.
​
The ending still leaves you with questions and open doors, even though it's supposed to be a standalone book 🤔

3.5/5⭐️

[Autumn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so excited to see another book in this world that when the publisher sent me an email I was like immediately yes.

this is 100% a me problem. I didn’t realize it was a standalone in the same work. I was expecting it to be book 2. So I was disappointed but again that’s 100% on me.

This however didn’t hit the way Of Flame and Fury did. I didn’t feel connect or feel as interested in the characters as I wanted to. Especially how I felt ending book one. But maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for it for now I would say it’s a 3 star read. It wasn’t bad but it didn’t feel like the right book for me.

That being said I will 100000000% be continuing the series because I love the way Mikayla writes and I love this world.

Thank you Macmillan and NetGalley for the ebook.

[Ari ☾]

°˖✿˚⋆I received this arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review⋆˚✿˖°

♡pre-read♡
I LOVED Of Flame and Fury and I am so grateful to have gotten an arc for Of Venom and Vengeance. I cannot WAIT to get back into this world.

°˖✿˚⋆Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc°˖✿˚⋆

[ThianeJansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of Venom and Vengeance was such a fun read for me.

I went into this without having read Of Flame and Fury, and I had no trouble following along. It’s set in the same world but it worked really well as a standalone for me and I never felt lost.

This has crime family politics, illusion magic, buried secrets, a sleeping serpent god and a mystery that kept me hooked the whole way through. The world felt dark and atmospheric without being overly complicated and I flew through it way faster than I expected.

The strongest part for me was definitely the mystery. I loved slowly piecing everything together alongside the characters, and the serpent god storyline especially kept me invested. The tension between Inna and Rylan was also really well done and kept things interesting from the beginning.

The tension between Inna and Rylan was another highlight. Their dynamic felt sharp from the start, with that constant mix of suspicion, revenge, and chemistry underneath everything. I also liked that neither of them felt fully good or fully innocent ITS LIKE everyone in this story feels like they’re hiding something.

It definitely reads YA tonally, which worked for me, and while I would’ve loved a little more depth in parts of the worldbuilding, it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.

Overall this was fast paced, entertaining and full of secrets, dangerous magic and revenge. If you like dark fantasy with mystery at the centre and romance woven through it, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt a bit long-winded, with a predictable plot and pretty bland characters. The romance was rushed, which didn’t really work for me. I did like the world, but I wish we’d gotten more out of it. Compared to the first book in the series, this one was a bit of a letdown. 2.75 stars

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Although this story takes place in the same world as Of Flame and Fury, it’s set in a different time and location and truly works well as a stand-alone. Some prior events are lightly referenced but never confusing.

The worldbuilding around the creatures and magic was engaging, and there are multiple villains within the story. By the end, I was still trying to decide whether the humans or the gods were the bigger threat.

That said, the ending is a true cliffhanger, and I’m hoping this isn’t the last we see of these characters.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am of a very small group of people who enjoyed the previous book (in the same universe), so I am very happy that NetGalley and the publishr allowed me another dive into this world.

On a different continent we have a city with a mafia like family who collect sprites, harvest their powers, use the powers for self or for pleasure in their gambing clubs. Run by the protagonist's mother and brother (uncle), they are feared by all. The only person she can trust is her bodyguard (who she has known from childhood and squashed a relationship with). Her elder sister was killed in kidnapping they both were involved in and she suspects there is something wrong with how it went down and that her family is withholding information.

The love interest is a living heir of a family that the mother killed long ago. Swearing revenge, and with power from the sprites, he has returned to the city and will discover the vault in which keeps his family's journal, the one that holds mysterious information about the Serpent King. Legend says he grants a wish for a price.

The author pitched this as 50's Vegas story with a slow burn romance between a thief and a heiress. I loved their romance and how it didn't seem forced. They learned to work together to get the things they wanted. There was danger, mystery, adventure, and death.

The reason I didn't give it a full 5 stars is how the world building is still a little vague on how it computers exist alongside such fantasy elements. But it doesn't really detract from the story.

All in all, I really liked this and I wouldn't mind seeing them again in another story or as supporting characters with the phoenix racer plot.

[Alyx Gough · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Of Venom and Vengeance.

Returning to this world felt like coming home, and I was so happy to be back. Mikayla Bridge’s writing is absolutely spectacular—beautiful, immersive, and impossible to put down. From the very first page, I was completely drawn into the magic, the danger, and the secrets hidden beneath the surface.

I loved Inna and Rylan’s story. Their complicated history, growing attraction, and uneasy alliance kept me turning pages long into the night. The tension between revenge and love was so well done, and I found myself rooting for them even when everything seemed stacked against them.

The world remains just as captivating as it was in Of Flame and Fury, with rich lore, high stakes, and plenty of twists along the way. The mystery surrounding Inna’s sister and the legend of the Serpent King added so much intrigue to the story.

If you love enemies-to-lovers, dangerous magic, dark family secrets, and lush fantasy worlds, this one is absolutely worth picking up. I loved every minute of it.

[Jennifer Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Venom and Vengeance – Mikayla Bridge
Crime family heiress. Illusion-wielding thief. A sleeping serpent god.
This one hisses.
Inna Pallo looks polished and untouchable — but beneath the glamour, she’s unraveling a lie that cost her sister’s life. Rylan is hunting revenge for a family she can never give back. And when their paths collide over an ancient riddle tied to a slumbering god… destruction feels inevitable.
The tension? Immediate. Volatile. Dangerous.
This isn’t soft romance. It’s two wounded people circling each other with knives behind their backs and desire in their eyes. Everyone is morally gray. Everyone has blood on their hands. And the magic feels like it could swallow them whole.
Power. Spectacle. Cruelty. Revenge dressed as destiny.

3.75

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look, if you give your thief illusion magic, I'm going to eat it up every time.

Of Venom and Vengeance is a YA romantic fantasy standalone set in the same universe as Of Flame and Fury, but instead of phoenix racing, it's gambling dens, evil crystal fairies, and a Serpent King who might not be a myth. I went into this fairly blind (I apparently didn't read the description before I requested the ARC because I thought it was a sequel to Of Flame and Fury...it is not, and there are no significant crossovers), and I honestly think I enjoyed it a bit more. The worldbuilding could be a bit vague at times - I'm not sure I 100% understand how the sprites could be kept in vials - I really liked it. Elemental magic is taken from sprites, who aren't as harmless as everyone believes them to be. There's also illusion magic, which is always one of my favorites, especially when it belongs to a thief.

Inna is the heiress of a notorious crime family on a desperate search for the truth behind her sister's death. Rylan is a thief bent on breaking into the Pallo family vault so he can find the Serpent King and destroy his enemies once and for all. When Inna and Rylan's paths align, it seems they might be able to help each other, but their alliance won't come without a cost. There's plenty of action, intrigue, and mystery. I really enjoyed the mini heist plots scattered throughout; they were unexpected but delightful. I will admit I thought there was a little too much plot armor at times, but I was still on the edge of my seat for most of the book. This is a standalone, and although it does leave the potential for these characters to appear elsewhere, their story is concluded here. The resolution was a bit rushed and convenient, which is why I'm hoping the author chooses to expand their story further, but it's still mostly satisfying. Also, I think the plot twists were much more foreshadowed than they were in Of Flame and Fury. I liked that I was able to call them, but if you're the kind of person who likes to be completely thrown off by twists, you might not enjoy this one as much.

Thief x Wealthy Heiress will always be one of the most entertaining pairings. Inna is a wealthy heiress to a crime family, so she's become a bit jaded over the years...but that won't stop her from fighting to find the truth about her sister. I thought she was neat, although her obliviousness did get on my nerves on occasion. She's tough but still finds space to be kind, and I appreciated the mystery aspect of her subplot. Rylan was always going to be a favorite because, as I've said, thieves with illusion magic are peak character design. He's the perfect blend of sarcastic and stubborn with a depressing backstory. Their romance felt well-developed and natural for the most part (I say for the most part because there's one scene that made me mad), and I enjoyed the tension between them. I didn't care much for Celesse, Inna's former lover, just because she third-wheeled a little too hard. She's morally grey - as most of these characters are - and I think I'd appreciate her more on a reread. The antagonists were fine; I didn't find any of them particularly malicious, but still enjoyed the conflict they created. Inna and Rylan's banter was really what made this book even more fun to read.

Of Venom and Vengeance is a YA romantic fantasy standalone that mixes the vibes of Amanda Foody's Ace of Shades with the character dynamics of Chloe Gong's These Violent Delights.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-ARC!

4.25/5

[Kai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy from Goodreads giveaways.

This is a follow-up to Of Flame and Fury, which I did not read. It definitely stands on its own, without any prior context on the world or events of the first book. I received this copy yesterday and I've already finished it, so that's telling on my enjoyment.

The world-building is exquisitely thought out, from all the little details mentioned about the aspects of every day life and how everyone who lives there is used to it and intertwined in the elements -- the main one being the sprites, in this story. Reading on all the ways sprites existed in the world, or how they were utilized, really helped to bring the story to life and make the society feel lived-in. This is apparent from the very first chapter.

There is a map of the regions, which is always appreciated. Though most of the story takes place in Ascira, looking at the map when the characters traveled helped communicate the differences. Same goes for the little excerpts on sprites and past letters that were sprinkled throughout -- not exactly enough to make the reader know more than the characters, but enough to immerse you into the story and see the world as they do.

The story centers on the action, plot, and environment more than the romance, which I definitely appreciate. The romance doesn't feel forced, but some part of me wishes it went a little more in-depth to accentuate the tension. As it stands, the story is fast-paced, and there's always something to latch on to with every page.

I didn't particularly enjoy how Inna, the female lead, was acting in the first chapter. The story sets her up as this heiress who knows her way around the mission she is doing, who is familiar with the setting and even knows she doesn't need to hide because of it. But her movements are sloppy, and she's annoyed at being called out for it--so much so, that she's in a mood when she arrives back. The rest of the story doesn't feel that way--even though there are times when she is smart and times when she is confused or even naive, you can understand it based on her position and her personality. That's my only comment on that.

The characters are forced to work together initially due to their motives -- one for knowledge, and one for vengeance. For me personally, the reveal of the truth for the former was expected and not a surprise. As for the vengeance...well, it's a romance story so I feel like every reader already foresees how that goes. Other elements in the story are foreshadowed, so you can have ideas for how the story will fold--this is not a story with many plot twists. Even so, it was an enjoyable read and I will be keeping this in my library.

[Elisabeth Stup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Publishing and Mikayla Bridge for the e-ARC in exchange for honest review.

I was SO happy to be back in this world! I read Of Flame and Fury last year and the phoenix racing was amazing! Now, still in the same world, we have Inna Pallo, an heiress to the Pallo crime family. Inna's older sister was killed several years ago after they were both kidnapped. Ever since, Inna has been primed to take over the company. But their family has a secret- the magical sprites that they use for magic? Yeah, they prefer to feed on human blood and can kill humans if hungry enough.

Enter, Rylan, a teenage boy who was orphaned as an infant and who's a descendent of the most famous alchemist. Oh and did I forget to mention that it was Inna's Mom who had Rylan's family killed? Yeahhh....needless to say Rylan is NOT an Inna fan!

So Rylan is desperate to break into the Pallos family vault to get a journal from his alchemist ancestor. The journal is tbe last puzzle piece he needs to complete the map to find the Serpent King, an ancient god who will grant you any wish if you can find him unscathed. Rylan bumps into Inna while first attempting this, though he doesn't immediately recognize her. After she prevents the break-in and follows him home, she reveals who she is and that she too wants to break into the vault in order to find out more about her sister's death, since Inna is sure that her mother knows more than she lets on.

The two form an unlikely partnership, that adds Inna's ex-gf/guard for the Pallo family, Celesse. The 3 work together to formulate a plan to break into the vault and what they find will lead some of them to the Serpent King for more answers!

Okay, without spoiling anything, I LOVED this one! Such a magical and fun read. It reminded me of the Ocean's 11 series if you throw in a little magic. The enemies to lovers was fantastically done. And it's a standalone, which was so well done! I feel like sometimes I'm left wanting more but everything was wrapped up nicely by the end! I also loved the little Easter Eggs relating to Of Flame and Fury! Definitely add this one (and Of Flame and Fury) to your TBR! Comes out July 7th!!

[Brittney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crime family heiress. Illusion wielding thief. Sleeping serpent god. This was dark fantasy with bite.

📚 Of Venom and Vengeance by Mikayla Bridge
Genre: YA romantasy
Vibes: crime dynasties, illusion magic, deadly alliance, revenge plot, forbidden attraction

On an island where power is wrapped in pageantry and pain, Inna Pallo looks like the perfect heir to her family’s empire. Polished. Calculating. Untouchable. But behind the glamour, she is hunting for the truth about her sister’s death.

Rylan has his own mission. His family was murdered by Inna’s mother, and he plans to take everything from her. Starting with an ancient riddle hidden in the Pallo vault. A riddle that leads to a sleeping god who can grant any wish.

Including revenge.

What makes this compelling:

🐍 A morally gray heiress unraveling a family cover up
🎭 A thief with illusion magic and a singular thirst for retribution
🔥 A deadly alliance neither of them intends to honor
👑 Crime family politics steeped in spectacle and cruelty
⚡ High stakes magic tied to a serpent god who should probably stay asleep

The tension between Inna and Rylan is sharp from the start. They circle each other with suspicion and attraction in equal measure. The enemies to something more dynamic works because both of them are operating from wounds, not innocence.

Everyone in this world has blood on their hands in some way. Motivations blur. Loyalties shift. And the question becomes not just who will win, but who will survive their own ambition.

The magic feels dangerous. The romance feels volatile. And the stakes are not just personal, but mythic.

If you love dark fantasy where power comes at a cost and love is tangled in vengeance, this one brings the drama.

💬 Would you wake a lost god if it meant getting exactly what you wanted?

#MikaylaBridge #OfVenomAndVengeance #FSGBooks #YARomantasy #FantasyRomance

[Yardén Shoval · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC!

This was another rounded, well-written installment in this series. It’s not a sequel to OFaF but a side story happening in the same world. Inna Palo is a rich kid living on Ascira, an island with sprites (think magical fireflies with jewel like shells), where her family rules. Rylan comes to the island to avenge his slain family. They meet, they do the enemies to lovers, and honestly, I just love the intricate world building and magic system so much that they’re the main reason I gave my 5 stars. In a world of fae, shadow daddies, high lords and ladies, this world is so refreshing. I found myself imagining more than once what clouds of sprites might look like, what euphoric magic would be like… anyway to go as far as inventing gambling games that involve magic - I haven’t seen it yet and I’m happy Ms. Bridge took the time to think about it because you know what? I’m sure if we had magic at our disposal it wouldn’t just affect how we wage war or have sex and we don’t see enough of that thought through in a lot of recent magic book hits.

Anyway, they both need to go to a neighboring island where a mythological snake god lives so they can ask it for a favor, which is supposed to get each of them answers they’ve been looking for (trying hard to stay vague and not spoil anything).

I liked both characters and only now writing this I realize it’s almost always just the two of them throughout the book. Did I feel like I needed them to have friends or found family? Idk probably not. It would be cool to see them meet the people from the previous book though, and see all the stories weave together into one plot.

If you liked the previous book, you’ll probably like this one. The only negative thing I could think of is that the pacing was sometimes too slow for me (but I often read before bed and fall asleep ha!)

Solid YA story.

[Laura B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inna, the heiress to the Pallo crime family, strives to earn her mother’s approval all while knowing that her mother is holding something back from her in regard to her sister’s murder. Because of this and her perpetual grief, Inna is bound and determined to figure out the secrets of her sister’s death, no matter what the cost, and she has found the perfect parter to help her do so in Rylan. Rylan is a talented thief and has a plan to get vengeance for his family, who was murdered by Inna’s mother, but to do so, he needs the help of Inna to get into the Pallo family vault. Neither Inna nor Rylan trust the other, but they both know they have to work together in order to get the outcome they each desire. Will they be able to conquer their distrust of each other and work together for a favorable outcome? In doing so, will they each end up betraying the other to get the outcome they desire most? Some obstacles are obvious, and others not so much, as they journey together to reach their ultimate goal.

I found this to be a dense, dark read, and as such could only read a bit at a time before having to take a break and come back to it later. That being said, it was a good book that I wanted to finish. I appreciated how both characters were written with very apparent flaws they had to work to overcome. I also liked the hero’s journey and the way the characters had to struggle with their own morals. I did not see the need for the romance in the novel between Inna and Rylan, and almost felt like it was an afterthought to the whole story or something added because it is an “expected” part of the plot. Instead, I saw Rylan and Inna as being in more of a sibling relationship than a romantic one and would have appreciated the novel more had they become sibling-like friends rather than lovers.

4 Stars Ages 16+ Includes LBGTQ+ characters, trigger warning for abuse and torture

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Venom and Vengeance by Mikayla Bridge
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Thank you to Macmillan Publishers Children’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC!

First off, I enjoyed that this was a standalone. So many books I read end up becoming 4–7 book series, and while I know writing takes time, it can be overwhelming waiting forever for the next installment. I devour books way too quickly to sit with cliffhangers for long because I need to know what happens next!

Casting illusions to pull off a heist with a stranger and your ex was exactly the kind of action-packed story I needed. Rylan quickly realizes that the illusions he hides behind will not fool Inna, but vulnerability might. Inna, Celesse, and Rylan team up to rob Inna’s family vault, though each of them has their own motives. With a partnership this unusual, however, everyone has to watch their backs (or jugulars) because betrayal is always one step away.

Celesse and Inna’s past relationship helps them work well together at first, while also reminding them why things fell apart in the first place. Meanwhile, the growing hate-to-something-more dynamic between Inna and Rylan stirs up even more complicated feelings between the group. As they dig deeper into a murder investigation, financial troubles, and layers of betrayal, discoveries hidden within journals and coroner’s files reveal far more than Inna and Rylan expected.

This book took me on a much deeper journey than the original blurb suggested, and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. I also loved the uniqueness of the different sprites and the way they were weaponized throughout the story.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite quote(s):

“She didn't need power, or money, or resources. She needed knowledge.”


Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Review:

I loved getting back into the world of Of Flame and Fury with this. It was nice to see new islands and places. I especially loved meeting new characters like Inna and Rylan. This book was full of messy family drama, secrets, betrayal, and, of course, magic. Inna was fierce and determined to find the truth about her sister. Rylan wanted answers as well. I loved diving into their stories and pasts as they worked together, even after the chaos of their first meeting. Inna's family was messy, but I thought their work with the sprites and magic in general was interesting to an extent. Rylan had his own magic he was using that I found really fascinating. I loved them growing and bonding. Their banter was great. I did have mixed feelings about Inna's friend Celesse, things got messy between them, but I know she cared about Inna. The last few chapters with Inna and Rylan going after The Serpent King were intense, and I loved every minute of it. Overall, I found this a great story, and the writing was great, too. I do wonder if there will be an epilogue in the final version or another book as the end seemed like something more would happen. Despite this curiosity, I loved this just as much as the other one.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mikayla Bridge knows how to write a cliffhanger, that’s for sure - at least with Of Venom and Vengeance I didn’t throw my kindle like with Of Flame and Fury. Thank you to Mikayla Bridge, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, & NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

Of Flame and Fury was one of my top reads of 2025 so I had extremely high expectations for Of Venom and Vengeance, I’m happy to report those expectations were met. Bridge has a way of writing the most relatable characters in incomprehensible scenarios. If you love found family on top of extremely complicated, layered, actual familial relationships - this series is for you.

Now, OVAV is a standalone, so while it takes part in the same universe as OFAF it has its own magic system and rules. We trade in phoenixes and racing for sprites, snakes, and casinos. The reader gets to learn about the various aspects of magic in Ascira as Inna and Rylan’s knowledge of it changes and expands. It’s unique, different, and masked to the public despite how prevalent sprites are in their world. I do wish I could have a sprite friend myself, despite what they are known to do.

5 stars out of 5 stars - I can’t wait to learn more about the other areas of the universe we've yet to experience & hopefully catch up more with some of my favorites in future books.

[Beth DeLong · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

I really enjoyed Of Flame and Fury, and was delighted to be back in that world with this book! It is indeed a standalone and can be read as such. Some world-building descriptions and events that occurred in OFAF are referenced in OVAV, but very little. In fact, I didn't feel there was much world-building at all in this one. That makes it easier to follow, and you can understand this world as it's written, but I think you'll get more depth and understanding reading OFAF first.

The plot jumps right into the action. And while some scenes felt a bit slower, there was nothing I felt was extra or unnecessary -- it all served a purpose. Then there were high-stakes scenes that I couldn't read fast enough.

In short, this book felt like a mix of romance, magic, and Indiana Jones.

There were deadly trials, broken trusts, and fights for power that all flirt with the main theme of what matters most to you.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and being back in this world! I also enjoyed the brief references to OFAF, which makes me excited to see how the rest of the series will come together. Especially with that ending -- it could be to leave us to our imagination, or it could be a great tie-in for the next book(s).

⚠️Cursing, including f
⚠️LGBT (minimal detail)
🫑Three kissing scenes

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read!

[Elsa L · Rating 4 out of 5]

So happy I got to read and review this one early. It was the read I needed at this time, a nice fantasy standalone book. I appreciated the setting and how it is still in the same world as of flame and fury.

The thing I was mostly enchanted with was the sprite magic. It reminded me of how the author setup the phoenix races but in a new way. I liked how Inna knew sprites and their magic. But with the creatures hunted down it added more to the plot. Inna is the heiress to a corrupt family business. The main business is sprite magic and keeping the dark secret of the sprites natures is crucial. Inna set on discovering how her sister was killed added to the mystery. I liked how Inna starts questioning what is right and wrong and how her family members are most definitely not good people. She finds her answers on her own no matter what.

Inna teaming up with Rylan, who should be her enemy, was intriguing but most of this intrigue came from Rylan himself, who is seeking vengeance against Inna’s family by finding a god and ask him for retribution. I liked how Rylan also has his questioning moments, and how him and Inna become closer by their common endgames. I really liked the ending and how it was left full of possibilities. You still find where each major character ends up but with possibility of seeing them again

[Cups and Thoughts · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you macmillan for the ARC!

i thoroughly enjoyed of flame and fury and was really looking forward to this one! but i felt like there was a lot going on in the story - a serpent God, heists, magical sprites, a mystery, and a family heiress with secrets? these are all very interesting points in the story, but none of them felt very fleshed out and instead felt very rushed. it felt like the author wanted to add a little bit of everything, which meant there was a lack of focus on the characters and the world building. it kind of felt like the genres kept shifting, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it felt pretty disorienting :') the characters were all very intriguing at the beginning, especially Rylan. but something about Rylan and inna's dynamic didn't feel very convincing. they were both strong characters individually, but i didn't feel any spark between them. it could just be me though. i really really enjoy the author's writing in general. if you've read my reviews of fantasy books in the past, you'll know that subtlety is what usually wins me over. Mikayla bridge is awesome at this. i love how easy her writing is and how they flowed naturally. i just think the elements weren't tied together very seamlessly. i did catch the phoenix riding reference, which made me smile.

a fun and fast-paced read overall, but i definitely much preferred of flame and fury!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is so much in this story, history, magic systems, mistrust of EVERYONE. Even though we're in the same realm as Of Flame and Fury (Salta), we're away from the phoenix races and on a different island.

Our MMC has been orphaned since infancy and ostracized by his adopted family since discovering his magic abilities. He's been relying on only himself and wants vengeance on the family that ended his.

Our FMC is the stereotypical 'manic-pixie-dream-girl' but has more depth than she is willing to show and is so steeped in her mother's empire, her reality is rewriting and erasing itself.

This story did a great job of making you switch allegiances, it is YA/New Adult so sometimes you have to remember the characters are of that mindset. You're so immersed in the world - the descriptions help you picture everything so vividly.

I did have some questions about situations our characters become involved in - more like, how exactly does the magic work. Plus a few background and wellness checks on some characters.

👀 I visually read this one, so it took me a bit longer and I had to keep jumping back in the world after longer periods off - I'll be listening to the audio version when it comes out and compare.

[Erika Guidry · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 / 5⭐️
Of Venom and Vengeance is a standalone story set in the same world as Of Flame and Fury.
In my opinion you can read this without reading Of Flame and Fury. There are only a couple of small mentions of phoenix and the events of that story.
I was excited to go back to that this world and for it be a separate story. I really liked the sprites and the overall hunt for the Serpent King, those parts of the story were what kept me reading. I like a good riddle solving, trial like, hunt for a mysterious creature / person.
The other parts of the story about Inna's family and the connection to Rylan's, kind of fell flat for me. I know it is what connected the characters and brought them to journey together but it just made the story feel unnecessarily long winded for me. Not much happened discovery wise for either of them that involved that part of the story.
Celesse's betrayal did hit hard, I wasn't expecting it.
I did like the ending and would read another story involving Inna and Rylan and their adventures deciphering the journals and finding magics.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan, and Mikayla Bridge for an eARC of this book. I look forward to reading more from her in the future!

[Alex Topham · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful and cozy read! This book has 2 povs, our fmc and our mmc and it is split really nicely between the two. The changes weren't confusing as both characters had a certain air about how "they wrote" so once into the book it was fairly easily understandable.

Despite both setting out to kill the other, well... plans change and all that. The full route from strangers (not quite enemies I'd say, but nearly) to lovers was spread through the book so well and it didn't feel rushed at any point which is exactly how I like my romance in fantasy.

I found the book was quite a bit of an emotional rollercoaster, but that's not exactly a bad thing. Unseen twists and turns popped up in good timing and there wasn't loads all crammed into a small part which was super refreshing and let me feel like I could keep up. The final 50 or so pages were much expected in a fantasy read with the climax occurring and it was definitely massively gripping.

I loved the subtle hints to Of Flame and Fury by the same author that I read earlier this year about this book could also be completely understood as a standalone because the previous book knowledge is not required.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the eARC approval on NetGalley.

[Bre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mikayla Bridge does it again, this companion novel to Of Flame and Fury is a wonderful mix of fantasy with just the right amount of slow burn. While some plot points felt a bit predictable, I enjoyed getting to see as Inna and Rylan put the pieces together. I enjoyed that we got to see as Inna started to see the side of her family and their business that others saw and just integrated they were in the politics of Ascira and the truth of just how far they’re willing to go to protect the power they’ve claimed. Rylan’s arc was a pleasant mirror to Inna’s own. Both characters are craving vengeance in different ways and come to realize it wasn’t quite what they wanted it to be.

Overall, this was satisfying extension of the world and I enjoyed getting expanded lore of on the magic and other creatures within it. This book works as a standalone, though has some references to the events and characters in Of Flame and Fury (̶M̶Y̶ ̶B̶O̶Y̶ ̶B̶E̶K̶N̶)̶ If you’re planning on reading both books, I would definitely read this one second as it spoils parts of OFAF. I was very pleased with this book and I’m eagerly waiting see what Mikayla Bridge has in store for future books.

[Taylor Piatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me early access to this eARC.

4 stars. This was a good interconnected standalone to this author’s first book, Of Flame and Fury.

Set in the same world this follows Inna who is the heir to the Pallo crime family who is involved in the capture, extraction of magic, and sale of Sprite magic. She is obsessed with learning what truly happened the day her sister died. It follows her story.

This was fun and fast paced. It involves a heist, an unlikely alliance and very unique magic. One thing I absolutely love about this author is the unique worlds she builds. It is different than anything I have ever read and she develops such a unique world.

I felt like the pacing of this book was a little off. The plot was constantly shifting and I felt like some things were not fully explored the way they could have been. With that being said, this was the only issue I had.

I love the characters she develops, I love the worlds, I love the unique magic. And I cannot wait to see what this author writes next!

[Brooke Scudder]

The way these two slowly fall for each other while simultaneously plotting the other’s demise was absolutely irresistible. Their relationship gave me major Romeo and Juliet vibes, full of tension, attraction, and distrust that made every interaction feel meaningful.

Inna was such an interesting character. She’s ruthless because she has to be, but underneath it all she’s still incredibly caring despite everything she’s been taught. I loved watching her hold onto that part of herself. Ryland was equally compelling. After a lifetime of lies and uncertainty, it made sense that Inna would find comfort in someone who was honest about not telling the whole truth. Their connection felt complicated, believable, and completely earned.

The adventure was easily my favorite part of the story. The quest kept me on the edge of my seat, and I was just as invested in the journey as I was in the romance. I especially loved the idea of them continuing to seek out adventures together after everything they survived.

My only criticism is that the build-up to the adventure felt a little too drawn out. Once the story got moving, though, I was hooked.

Overall, this was a thrilling adventure with a romance full of chemistry, conflict, and hard-earned trust.

[Mia N. Gleason · Rating 4 out of 5]

MILD SPOILERS

Solid book! I love that each book was written in the same universe but is a strong standalone with its own structure of things. I feel like this will be a 4 book non-series in the sense that we’ll get one book on each of the rulers. So far, we’ve read phoenixes (book 1) and now serpents (book 2) and I won’t spoil the other two in my theory but I found it to be quite an obvious Easter egg!

I liked the pacing here, the lore with the sprites, and the easy nature of the story. I enjoyed the dual POV and the enemies-to-lovers trope (always a fan of that one!). I did not like the predictability of one plot point and I did not like the last paragraph of the book. However, readers of book 1 will find a similar ending in that it’s an open-ended cliff hanger.

I received an eARC in exchange for my honest review from the publisher and NetGalley - thank you to the author for a strong and entertaining story!

[Amanda Diers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Of Flame and Fury and was super excited to get an advance copy of this one. It's set in the same world but a different place and time and while some events are referenced, it works well as a standalone. There's layered politics with a mafia family vibe, tension with gods, and a slowly building relationship that never felt rushed or forced. It was overall a good read but I didn't love it quite as much as the other book in the world. The mystery aspect was super cool and fun to try to sort out as the story progressed and this book does end on a cliffhanger so it will be fun to see how that all plays out. I loved that everyone in the story is either morally gray or has an ulterior motive or secret so you never quite know who to trust.. If you like atmospheric reads that will have you questioning things the entire time, absolutely pick this up.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Mikayla Bridge for the advance copy!